Southern California -- this just in

LAPD and FBI join forces to help solve homicides in South Los Angeles

July 2, 2010 | 8:19
am

The Los Angeles Police Department and FBI are forming a federally-funded homicide task force to help solve murders in South Los Angeles, historically the most deadly part of the city, officials plan to announce Friday.

The Operation Save Our Streets Joint Task Force will be formally announced by LAPD Asst. Chief Earl Paysinger and Deputy Chief Patrick Gannon along with FBI Special Agent Bill Lewis at the 77th Street Area Community Police Station.

Homicides in the LAPD's South Bureau are down 7% so far this year, but two of the four divisions that make up the area have seen increases after several years of large drops.

From Jan. 1 to June 26, there were 38 homicides in the two divisions in 2010, compared with 30 during the same period in 2009, according to LAPD statistics. Violent crimes dropped 9% and property crimes fell 11%, compared with the same year-ago period.

Citywide, homicides are up 4% for the first six months of 2010, compared with the same period in 2009.